Minister Katz responds to al-Jolani: "Every territory we take – will remain ours forever"

Defense Minister Israel Katz responded to al-Jolani's speech at the UN, clarifying that the Golan Heights is an inseparable part of Israel forever. Katz said Israel will not withdraw from Mount Hermon and the security zone as long as a threat from Syria persists, and warned that an attack will be met with a harsh response that will include annexation of territory.

Defense Minister Israel Katz responded today (Wednesday) to the speech of Syrian President Ahmed al-Shara (al-Jolani) at the UN General Assembly. Al-Jolani claimed that the Golan Heights is Syrian territory and called on the international community to act against the Israeli presence in the area. In response, Katz declared that "the Golan under Israeli sovereignty is an inseparable part of the State of Israel forever." Katz clarified that Israel will not withdraw from Mount Hermon and the security zone, which it captured during the Yom Kippur War and returned to Syria under the 1974 Separation of Forces Agreement. According to him, the terms of the agreement were violated after Syria became an Iranian base and a threat to Israel. Following the fall of the Assad regime, the IDF entered the summit of Mount Hermon and the security zone in Syria to prevent threats from jihadist elements. The forces will remain as long as danger to Israeli communities persists. Katz concluded with a warning: "If they attack our forces or the territory of the State of Israel from within Syria, we will be forced to act and respond — and every territory we take this time will remain ours forever."